MV Dirona travel digest for Seattle to San Francisco 2012

Position: 48°10.21'N, -122°54.29'W

We're at the east entrance of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Conditions are excellent: 6 knots of wind, calms seas and clear skies. The cruise ship Amsterdam just passed heading to Alaska and still is visible in the distance, aglow with light.

Position: 48°22.95'N, -124°46.48'W

Conditions in the strait stayed wonderfully calm the entire time. We're now in thick fog off Tatoosh Island, and southerly winds are generating a tight chop on the bow.

Position: 46°56.58'N, -125°4.29'W

A salmon fishing opening is in effect--we're seeing a lot more traffic than on our previous run to the Columbia River. Conditions settled a bit, but now we're in S 15-knot winds with tight 4-6' seas on the bow. We've got gale-force winds predicted for Mon-Wed, so its definately going to get worse.

Position: 44°43.95'N, -124°53.52'W

We're past the Columbia River bar--this is the southnernmost we've ever been with . Winds have been steady 15, but its been doing that for days, so waves are pretty close together. There's a gale coming with winds up to 35 knots and 14-foot seas. The conditions are predicted to be better close to shore, so we've hading that way now and will continue that distance from shore down the coast. Heading towards shore also lets us run diagonaly across the short swell, which is both more comfortable and much faster.

Position: 42°52.19'N, -124°41.91'W

We're just over halfway to San Franciso now--we've got 365 mile left out of 837. Conditions are exellent now--calm seas and we're making great time compared to bow-into the waves yesterday. The weather prediction for within 10 of shore has worsened, but still is better than offshore.

Position: 41°44.47'N, -124°42.05'W

The bad weather has arrived. Winds are N 25-30, generating tight 7-9' seas. The only good thing as that we are running with the waves, rather than against them, so we're still able to make decent time. Conditions are expected to worsen, with 10-12' seas tonight, and then start to ease off tomorrow morning.

Position: 41°0.77'N, -124°40.75'W

Winds are steady 30 with 10-12' seas. The range in the roll guage pictured is from -20 to +20 in 5-degree increments. Even with hydraulic stablizers running at maximum output, we're still rolling 15 degrees each side.

Position: 40°44.07'N, -124°40.45'W

Conditions much improved. The wind has dropped to 10-20 knots and the waves to 7-9'. The waves still are big, but aren't nearly as fierce as a couple of hours ago.

Position: 39°37.53'N, -124°13.17'W

Conditions were reasonable rounding Cape Menocino, but worsened not far south. Winds blew 30-knots most of the graveyard shift, with 10-12' seas to match. The wind has again settled back down into the 20s, with mostly 7-9' seas again.

Position: 39°24.15'N, -124°6.80'W

The sun just rose on what promises to be a good running day: winds are down to around 10 knots, the waves are 5-6', and the sky is clear and blue.

Position: 38°46.46'N, -123°40.41'W

The clear skies gave way to a thick fog late this morning. Winds are blowing around 10 from the SW--not much of a problem except we're getting a good saltwater bath from the spray. Our ETA to Golden Gate is the middle of the night, so we're thinking of stopping in Drakes Bay tonight and proceeding through Golden Gate tomorrow morning. Hopefully the fog will lift and we'll actually be able to see the bridge.

Position: 37°59.17'N, -123°1.46'W

The lighthouse at Pt Reyes, hung of the cliff, makes a dramatic display. Land actually has been ho for a while, but this particular land is more interesting to us because we plan to anchor at Drakes Bay for the night.

Position: 37°59.91'N, -122°58.52'W

The engines are off after four days straight, the anchor is down, and the wine is poured. Time for a relaxing meal and a full night's sleep. For our first California anchorage, it's a pretty nice one. Steep hills are on three sides and we have a clear view south towards San Francicso.

Position: 37°58.15'N, -122°55.51'W

Got up just before sunrise and we're all excited to be heading towards the Golden Gate Bridge (even Spitfire).

Position: 37°45.82'N, -122°38.26'W

We're in the lanes with the Golden Gate Bridge just visible in the distance. Conditions are overcost, but not socked in.

Position: 37°47.69'N, -122°31.32'W

Position: 37°48.71'N, -122°29.12'W

Position: 37°49.02'N, -122°27.93'W

Masonry fort under the south end of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Position: 37°49.02'N, -122°27.93'W

Position: 37°48.98'N, -122°26.01'W

Position: 37°48.30'N, -122°23.68'W

Position: 37°47.46'N, -122°23.00'W

Position: 37°30.93'N, -122°11.93'W

Lunch on deck in our new temporary home. Westpoint Harbor Marina is an impressive new facility with excellent services.